How to spend one day in Lausanne?

As you know, I L-O-V-E travelling, it’s my one true passion (hence this blog, dah!). But this September I haven’t been travelling a lot (some friends would add “for once!”). Mainly because I had to save some energy (and money) for my next big trip (more on that in an upcoming post, so stay tuned)…

Anyway, this self-imposed travelling ban gave me a blog post idea! Why not write about the city where I live, aka Lausanne?! So here am I!

But how whittle down the entire city to just one day and its best bits (according to me of course)?? As we still are sort of late summer early fall I chose to tackle this challenge by putting together the guide to my perfect late-summer-early-fall-day-in-Lausanne, aka Indian summer day!

So here is how you can take as much as you can when you have just one day to spend in Lausanne:

1. Early morning – Admire the sun raising above the Alps and the lake

One of my favourite things in Lausanne is witnessing the sun rising above the lake and the Alps, sitting on one of the benches on the banks of Lake Leman. There is something very peaceful and relaxing being there contemplating the birth of a new day. Even if you’re not a morning person it’s really worth waking up around 7pm, walk to the lake and simply enjoy.  You can even add to the pleasure by getting a yummy breakfast (or brunch if it’s the weekend) at the Tom Café afterwards.

2. After breakfast – Stroll around the “Jardin botanique”

Following your breakfast at the Tom Café, take a 10 to 15 minutes’ walk to the “Jardin botanique”, the city’s botanical garden. If you don’t like walking, you can also board the local subway.

This garden is one of Lausanne’s best kept secret. I only recently discovered it, although I have been living in this city for many years. Strolling around the garden will make you travel to exotic countries, the Swiss Alps or even Provence, all in one place!

3. Around midday – Wander the cobbled streets of “la Cité” and admire the view on the city

Board the subway and head towards Lausanne’s old town, “La Cité”. La Cité is Lausanne’s historic heart, where the city was born. It’s also where Lausanne’s cathedral is located, which was built in the 13^th century. I love this neighbourhood! There is a somewhat very medieval and romantic feeling about it, with its cobbled streets, medieval castle and pastel houses. Plus, it’s here where you’ll have the most stunning view of the entire city!

Following your stroll, you can grab lunch in one of the hood’s restaurants or, if you still have enough energy, walk down to the “Le P’tit Central” one of my favourite restaurants in Lausanne and one of locals’ regular joint.

4. Afternoon – Ramble through the “Collection de l’Art Brut”

After lunch, you could go to the “Collection de l’Art Brut”, the world’s first and finest Art Brut collection and yet another of Lausanne’s best kept secret. It’s one of my favourite museums and a unique art collection of “marginal” artists with little to no tights with the established art scene. You’ll really be astonished by what you’ll see and learn!

5. Dinner time – Enjoy some tapas

For a city of its size Lausanne has a fairly good and qualitative restaurants’ scene. One of my favourite is “O Buro”, a genuine tapas bar that has nothing to envy to its counterparts in Barcelona or Madrid. It’s my go-to when I want good food and good wine but not being hungry enough for a full-course meal.

 6. Nightcap – Indulge state-of-the-art cocktails

If you still have a bit of energy left and fancy a last drink, head to new cocktail bar “Bottle Brother”. Inaugurated last spring, it has quickly become a favourite amongst the hypes and the stylish, as well as one of mine! There you’ll find a vast array of tasty and state-of-the-art cocktails (or creations as the staff calls them) directly inspired by America’s cocktail history. I have a soft spot for the “Snap my bloody bottle”, Bloody Mary with a twist. Plus the staff is super friendly which isn’t a given in Switzerland!

I do hope you had as much fun reading this article as I had writing it?! It made me realise how much I like my city and how much it has to offer! It even gave me the inspiration for another “one day in Lausanne” post focusing on winter activities, so stay tuned.

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